Here are a few recommended time-wasters
by Christina Spencer
It is just about halfway through the semester and perhaps your feet are starting to drag, but not for long. Take a break and see if these entertaining YouTube videos pump you up.
POPULAR MUSIC, UNUSUAL INSTRUMENTATION
“Somebody That I Used to Know” — Walk off the Earth
The Canadian indie band, Walk off the Earth, gets creative with a cover of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Every member of the band uses the same guitar simultaneously to create different sounds. The band has gained increasing popularity without the help of record labels or management by making low-budget music covers, as well as originals. Clearly, simplicity has joined forces with creativity to produce an epic, out-of-the-box performance.
“Payphone” — Avery ft. Max Schneider
YouTube artist Avery Iannitelli and Max Schneider sing a cover of Maroon 5’s “Payphone,” but this isn’t just any cover; all of the background instrumentals are done on iPhone instrument apps. Come on people, real instruments are so last year. Oh, technology, what would we do without you?
POLITICAL PARODIES
Epic Rap Battles of History — Obama vs. Romney
It’s the political season and what better way to brush off the heat of the upcoming election than with an “Epic Rap Battle.” If you’re having trouble deciding who is actually ahead in the political rat race, check out this video, and with a few laughs, perhaps it’ll help.
A Bad Lip Reading — “Eye of the Sparrow” Presidential Debate
How many of you are frustrated with the presidential debates? Interruptions galore, zero respect and failure to actually answer any of the questions. Well, here’s a bad lip reading of what the presidential candidates could have been saying.
NOT-SO-TIME-WASTING
In case you haven’t heard yet, Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner free-fell from a capsule 24 miles above the New Mexico desert. Guys, this is four times higher than single passenger jets fly. Wow. He traveled at 833 mph (I guess that’s kind of fast) and succeeded in shattering the sound barrier, something no one has ever done without a jet or rocket. Take a look at this video to witness his amazing feat.
“Why I Hate Religion, but Love Jesus” — poet Jefferson Bethke
Religion. Jesus. Think about those two words: whether they belong together, or whether you consider society to have thrown them around, confused the terms and mistaken the rules and regulations of religion for the love of Jesus Christ. Jefferson Bethke, a Christian poet, uses spoken word to highlight the difference between Jesus and false religion. What do you think?
EVERYONE NEEDS A LITTLE LAUGHTER
Who You Gonna Call? — Improv Everywhere
Halloween is coming up and the ghouls are lurking. This improv troupe brought the movie “Ghostbusters” to life in the reading room of the New York public library as those studying and reading looked on in wonder. Check out Improv Everywhere’s YouTube channel to see their latest ventures. They collectively dived into the ocean in their finest suits and gowns.
Scary Wake Up Pranks
College isn’t complete without pranking your roommates. Want some ideas? Check out these scary (hilarious) wake up pranks that leave the peaceful sleeper utterly flabbergasted. And you, well, gasping for air with a newly formed six-pack from the never-ending howls of laughter.
Contact Christina Spencer cspencer15@my.whitworth.edu